I have admittedly done a 180 on my opinions of this staff. Sure, I'll make the excuse, I am turning into an old fart and internally pass myself off as some sage (pun intended) that can see through "coach speak" - but these guys really are "coaching up" these dudes. The evolution and transition is palpable.
It’s easier to not fall into that trap when you realize that same woulda/coulda/shoulda has this team with like 5 wins on the year.
For non-graduates the portal is open only for 45 days at end of season. Myles will have more times as a spring graduate I think.That's the concern. While trying not to look past Sunday, the chances of us keeping all 3 of Myles, Johnny and Chase are...slim. But we'll have all summer to walk on those eggshells. Let's take care of Valpo. For once.
One of the things that I think goes unmentioned about Pedon is his consistent message. He wants to coach his teams to be playing their best basketball in February and March. He understands there is going to be ups and downs during the course of a 30+ game season and seemingly preaches to his players not to ride the rollercoaster and to stay even. To their credit, they have. Pedon seems to understand the likelihood of an at-large is slim year in and out, so he focuses on winning the conf tourney. I can appreciate the realness he attacks every day with.
Agreed here, he has been steadfast in what he's preached and also his coaching has improved with the team. Between him and Jud, they've found some stuff on both sides of the ball that these guys fit into and, voila, their confidence has risen significantly. It's all correlating. Earlier this year, things felt so desolate a lot of us thought the staff was in over their heads. They've turned their own corner too and part of that is what you said here.
If that's the case, so be it. But if they agreed there was no foul on the play...Shouldn't Johnny been t'd up for flopping? Interesting how that was a point of emphasis last year (Sandage) and not called at all this year.
I wish that wasn't the reality of the situation these days. Johnny does remind me a lot of Doug Collins. I was very fortunate to see him play all three years. It was a shame that Collins couldn't play as a freshman do to the NCAA rules at that time.
Banks
He is also not the best FT shooter. I would rather have Johnny, Mal, Luke, or Darius at rhe line those final minutes. I am not sure why we don't use him inbounding the ball more.
Foster had a huge smile on his face as they honored him at half-court for 1k points in his career.
Makes sense. In that case, I tip my cap to the official for not being fooled on a bang-bang play...did it have to come at our expense though?
Wardle and BU might be our North Star here, strange as it seems. Besides Mast, who else have they lost to the portal?
Jayson Kent
Terry Roberts to Georgia
Well . . . to burst some bubbles . . . his foot was on the line, so it should’ve been a 2-shot foul.
Honestly, I think JK could’ve jumped into the defender, just enough to draw contact, rather than lean and then jump.Makes sense. In that case, I tip my cap to the official for not being fooled on a bang-bang play...did it have to come at our expense though?
Good point on the FTs, that part of his game is a definite let down. Agree with your points too Mad. I think Pedon likes Humziger, or is that Kindonger? off the ball more with another PG. At this point he's what we've got there other than Kazooski pulling an occasional stint. Hoping recruiting fixes that or Johnny becomes more comfortable dribbling in traffic
